Q237 Summary

Summary prepared by Fielding M. McGehee III. If you use this material, please credit The Jonestown Institute. Thank you.

To read the Tape Transcript, click here. Listen to MP3 (Pt. 1, Pt. 2).
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FBI Catalogue: Jones Speaking

FBI preliminary tape identification note: Labeled in part “News 17-Aug”

Date cues on tape: Tape contents consistent with identification note

People named:

Bible verses cited: None

Summary:

Jim Jones reads the news for August 17, 1978.

The news tape is typical of others from late summer 1978. Jones relies principally upon Radio Moscow as his source of information, although it is unclear whether the descriptive adjectives he uses are his own or those in the copy before him: the US is always capitalistic and imperialistic; its allies are racist and fascist puppets and lackeys; and the Soviet Union is a force for liberation and freedom in all foreign countries, and an example of sensitivity, respect and justice.

As in other tapes, Jones interjects commentary on the failings and corruptive nature of capitalism at every juncture. At the conclusion of a story about the decision by the American corporation Honeywell to reject the US request not to sell computers to the USSR, for example, Jones adds, “They are in the business of making profit. That’s one of the beautiful things that you can count on in capitalism. They will finally go down because of their competitive nature, the contradictions of fighting against each other, they finally look after theirselves and let the devil take the hindmost.”

Jones also stresses how much these stories affect him personally, and should affect every resident of Jonestown. Early in the tape, Jones talks about the bloated size of the defense budget, “which is better than 80 percent of the American taxpayer’s money. That’s how much money we have put out. And every time I say it, I make sure I make my heart feel guilt, and you should make your heart feel guilt. Eighty percent of all of our taxes go to war.”

Another characteristic of these tapes – also present here – are Jones’ continual references to the inevitability of nuclear war, sometimes inserting them into stories which have nothing to do with the subject, and just as often attributing the reference to a person or a nation or a political body which didn’t make the assertion. According to Jones, for example, a report made by the Geneva World Conference Against Racism, sponsored by the United Nations, said that “all black and Puerto Ricans [in America] live in colonies that are ready-made for extermination by the neutron bomb.”

Finally, Jones closes his reading as he almost always does, with a call for people to appreciate their surroundings and each other. “What a beautiful sunset. Look around you at the beauty, and give your gratitudes now to people. That’s what keeps the faith high.”

Among the stories Jones covers:

• President Carter to veto the defense bill, calls for cuts in spending for education and health;
• Croatian nationals seize hostages at consular office in Chicago;
• Soviet Union charges that purpose of worldwide tour of Chinese officials is to set up spy networks;
• Israel promotes “permanent partial peace”;
• Lebanon accuses Israel of interfering with sovereignty;
• The AMA calls for cuts in ties with Soviet medicine;
• Moscow accuses American reporters of libel;
• American hot air balloon lands in France;
• CIA tries to overthrows government of Moscow-backed Afghanistan;
• Soviets criticize US for failure to sign human rights, genocide treaties;
• UN calls for Micronesian independence from US;
• Iceland drifts towards communism;
• Muhammed Ali indicted for tax evasion;
• Federal court orders postal workers to return to work;
• Bakke decision produces civil rights crisis;
• Bread lines form in Seattle;
• Memphis teachers refuse to cross police picket lines;
• House committee accuses drug companies of overcharging;
• Cancer-causing sodium nitrate found in most meats.

FBI Summary:

Date of transcription: 5/29/79

In connection with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s investigation into the assassination of U.S. Congressman LEO J. RYAN at Port Kaituma, Guyana, South America, on November 18, 1978, a tape recording was obtained. This tape recording was located in Jonestown, Guyana, South America, and was turned over to U.S. Officials in Guyana and subsequently transported to the United States.

On May 29, 1979, Special Agent (name deleted) reviewed the tape numbered 1B70-24. This tape was found to contain the following:

News of the day and commentary by JAMES JONES.

Differences with FBI Summary:

The summary is accurate and meets the FBI’s purposes.

Tape originally posted June 2019.